Help me please!!! Thank you so much!

Question

1. Watch the video of Ms. Gorman reading “The Hill We Climb.” Then read the poem, underlining its most important words. Explain why you think these particular images are essential to the poem’s meaning.

2. Ms. Gorman has an extraordinary ear for subtle rhymes. Watch or reread aloud “The Hill We Climb” and listen for them. Which stood out for you?

3. Throughout the poem we find references to events from the news. Identify these lines. What do these references invite readers to reflect on about America and Americans?

Answer 1

If I were you, I’d read through the poem and just go with your gut. Follow this basic structure:

1) Start with the meaning of the poem: What exactly do you think the main point may be?

2) With this main point in mind, which words stick out to you immediately? Underline those (three is probably a good starting point)

3) Given the meaning you wrote down in step 1, how specifically do these underlined words help support or clarify that meaning?

4) Listen for 2-3 rhythmic repetitions that stand out.

5) If you’re not sure exactly which events Ms. Gorman may be referring to, I’d take a look at some of the early January headlines about the ongoing COVID crisis and the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol.

Good luck!

Answer 2

For question number 2, read 4 to 6 lines of the poem at a time over and over again, listening for rhyming words. The words that rhyme may not always be the last words in a particular line. They could be the second or third to last word in any given line.